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BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 1/2008

Open Access 01-12-2008 | Research article

A role for subchondral bone changes in the process of osteoarthritis; a micro-CT study of two canine models

Authors: Yvonne H Sniekers, Femke Intema, Floris PJG Lafeber, Gerjo JVM van Osch, Johannes PTM van Leeuwen, Harrie Weinans, Simon C Mastbergen

Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders | Issue 1/2008

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Abstract

Background

This study evaluates changes in peri-articular bone in two canine models for osteoarthritis: the groove model and the anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) model.

Methods

Evaluation was performed at 10 and 20 weeks post-surgery and in addition a 3-weeks time point was studied for the groove model. Cartilage was analysed, and architecture of the subchondral plate and trabecular bone of epiphyses was quantified using micro-CT.

Results

At 10 and 20 weeks cartilage histology and biochemistry demonstrated characteristic features of osteoarthritis in both models (very mild changes at 3 weeks). The groove model presented osteophytes only at 20 weeks, whereas the ACLT model showed osteophytes already at 10 weeks. Trabecular bone changes in the groove model were small and not consistent. This contrasts the ACLT model in which bone volume fraction was clearly reduced at 10 and 20 weeks (15–20%). However, changes in metaphyseal bone indicate unloading in the ACLT model, not in the groove model. For both models the subchondral plate thickness was strongly reduced (25–40%) and plate porosity was strongly increased (25–85%) at all time points studied.

Conclusion

These findings show differential regulation of subchondral trabecular bone in the groove and ACLT model, with mild changes in the groove model and more severe changes in the ACLT model. In the ACLT model, part of these changes may be explained by unloading of the treated leg. In contrast, subchondral plate thinning and increased porosity were very consistent in both models, independent of loading conditions, indicating that this thinning is an early response in the osteoarthritis process.
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Metadata
Title
A role for subchondral bone changes in the process of osteoarthritis; a micro-CT study of two canine models
Authors
Yvonne H Sniekers
Femke Intema
Floris PJG Lafeber
Gerjo JVM van Osch
Johannes PTM van Leeuwen
Harrie Weinans
Simon C Mastbergen
Publication date
01-12-2008
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders / Issue 1/2008
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2474
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2474-9-20

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